CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, March 06, 2018

The light stuff: High speed projection mapping taken to the next mind-blowing level

newatlas.com: Researchers from the University of Tokyo have made an incredible advance in the field of real-time projection mapping, creating a new system that can simulate the way light reflects off a nonexistent three-dimensional structure. The result is stunningly realistic dynamic projection that heralds a new generation of trippy performance art.

7 comments:

Lily Cunicelli said...

Each time I think I’ve read an article about media that’s the most incredible and mind-blowing thing I have ever seen, I come upon another one that’s even more groundbreaking. The potential of media in theatre and entertainment as a whole is extremely exciting, and I’m so glad to be studying theatre in a time where I can witness practically any new development with projection and projection-mapping. After looking through the gallery of photos and reading about how high-speed projection mapping was created, my mind immediately went to the millions of possibilities of using this for dance performances. As the projection reacts mostly to the surface it’s being projected onto and gives the appearance of reflecting light, I can only imagine how this would look on a mass of moving, twisting bodies. I also wonder how this could be used in sensory environments-- I’ve also read a lot of articles recently about how media is now being utilized to deepen enclosed sensory spaces as well.

Rosie Villano said...

This article blows my mind, because it feels as though this technology almost shouldn’t be possible. I wonder how long it will take for this technology to even be accessible to high end commercial theater. But having just experimented with projection mapping in the media mini, I think it could open doors to a whole new range of applications for media. In terms of performance based art, this is incredibly groundbreaking. For example, I can only imagine what a company like Cirque de Soleil would do with this technology to enhance their already stellar performances. Reading this article it also begs the question, if this is possible then what’s next? As well as design opportunities, this technology also opens doors for what is on the forefront of development. For example, how far away from holograms are we? That sounds a little absurd, but I never imagined that live projection mapping would actually be possible.


Mattox S. Reed said...

Wow this is actually crazy. There are articles every once and awhile on the Blog that change the way that I think about a system or an idea. This is definitely one of those articles and one of those concepts. This is actually crazy the amount of information and the work that had to be put into this system is absurd and crates so many amazing possibilities for things in the future. The ability to live projection map or track creates an environment and a system that is able to adjust with live performances. I really could see this being introduced into new and exciting costumes and live performances where the actor or a moving object on stage that isn't at a calculated time and space could be projected on to and create a living and real experience. This also could be interesting for audience experiences projecting onto specific places as different people and things change.

Unknown said...

I really am in love with projection mapping and every single time I watch videos like that, which I am proud to admit is quite frequently in my spare time, I fall even further into that love. The capabilities that this technology has to be used in theatre is amazing. I don't know how far of a range It can be used on but it would be so beautiful to see an actor being exactly followed by a projection. I think even on a more broadly artistic scale that this mapping could be used in an installation to make the viewer truly one with the art. Needless to say I hope to one day be a part of these cutting edge technological advances. This work is something I am so passionate about and it makes me heart feel happy to know how far the art form of media has come so quickly.

Unknown said...

I am continually impressed by the rapid advances in the media field, and I am always interested to see what new applications are being discovered. I used to not be very sold on theatrical media design, but after seeing it used to such great effect this year in shows like How to put on a sock, Medea Shulie, and Alkestis, I have really come around. In Alkestis in particular, I found it impressive that the media department was able to project five faces and two audience prompters with only 4 projectors running. Not to mention the face mapped on the torn piece of carpet in Medea. I feel like the way media opens up theatrical storytelling and symbolism is a very promising way forward for the industry, and I am glad that we are embracing it here at CMU. The process of mapping projections is so interesting and I am excited to see what they come up with next!

Emma Patterson said...

I am so fascinated by the capacity of media in theatre, and interactive experiences in general. I, like many people, have very little familiarity with media, so each time I come across a new technique or effect, I am even more amazed. I always wonder about the accessibility of media in most theatres because I have minimal concept of how challenging different effects are, and, therefore, I don’t know what technology and software are necessary to create something, nor how much time it takes. It is so interesting to explore the possibilities of how much becomes available when live projection mapping is brought into a theatrical environment. The capacity for the world that has been created to change in an instant is truly fascinating. I am very interested in observing how the conversation between the designers change, considering that now there must be a balance achieved between the scenic designer, lighting designer, costume designer, and sound designer to serve the story and allow participation from all of those departments to create a cohesive message.

Rachel Kolb said...

This is an example of how technology is expanding and changing and how we can use that change in technology to our advantage in the arts. This is a really cool concept and the videos where really cool. Essentially, this technology and system allows you to change a surface in motion without having to change the physical environment, you just have to change the virtual environment. This would be really cool in theater because you could have one base object and project different things on it to make it have different presentation and you wouldn’t have to build multiple. The only downfall of this and what I think might decrease its practical use in theater is the giant footprint this rig takes up. Because it requires so many cameras this contraption and the necessary equipment to make this cool visual experience work, might be difficult to find the space in the house of a theater.